, 1887-03-26

there was a period of difficulty In restraining
the church from attempting to punish his
enemies in a manner in which, as the event
proved, would have been both useless and
unwise. In other words, he never had any
reason to complain of anything except the
excess of affectionate zeal with which the
church supported his cause"
SUPPORTING CLEVELAND IN 1884.
Although Mr.. Beecher had been associated
all his life with the Republican party and had
achieved his greatest successes as a political
speaker in connection with that party and his
weightiest influence had been acquired with
the members of that party, when Mr.. Cleve-
land was nominated for the Presidency IN
1884 he openly expressed his preference for
the Democratic candidate, and before the
close of the campaign cut loose entirely from
his old party affiliations and made q number
of telling speeches in favor of the opposing
candidate. Beginning with a ringing speech
at a great meeting in the Brooklyn Academy
of Music, he followed it up with equally tell
ing efforts at a business mems open-air meet
ing downtown and at other gathering IN this
CITY. This breaking loose from old ties
brought down on him, of course, the resent
ment of many of his old party associates, and
subjected him to much bitter animadversion,
but in this case, as in the opposition ne arous-
ed by his policy of Cancellation at the close
of the war, he listened to abuse with lndltter-
ence and smiled serenely at the impotent
wrath of his traducers.
BEECHER IN
zone of the most dramatic events IN the
oratorical career of Henry Ward Beecher,"
said Mayor Darlington, of Richmond, Va, to
a World reporter occurred in Richmond five
years ago this spring, during his l%ecturlng
tour through the South. The announcement
that he was to lecture at Mozart Hall on
"The North and South" filled the old build
ing. 1t was his first appearance IN Rch-
mond since the war, and he wasrather doubt
full about the kind of reception he would get.
When he walked on to the stage ne saw
before him a distinguished audience OF
Southerners. including several Of the leading
generals on the losing side. In the fourth
row of the orchestra sat Gen. Fitzhugh Lee,
and lust behind him, Gen. Rosser, while near
by were ex-Gov. Extra Billy" Smith and
Gov. Cameron. No applause greeted the
great preacher as he stepped before the foot
LIGHTS. The ladies levelled their opera glass
es at him with cold curiosity and the men
looked coolly expectant. Some misses from a
few rowdies in the gallery did not tend to
dispel the chilliness of the reception.
"Mr. Beecher surveyed the audience calmly
for a moment and then stepping directly In
front of Gen. Lee, he said, i have seen pic
lures of Gen. Fitzkug1 Lee, and l judge that
YOU are the man; fm [ right
"The General, slightly taken aback by thus
Greet address, nodded stitiy, while the at
dience bent forward breathless with curiosity
as to what was going to follow.
sThen, said Mr.. Beecher, his face lighting
up. L want to offer you this right hand, which,
in it's own way, fought against you and yours
TWENTY-FIVE years ago, but which would now
willingly sacrifice to make the sunny South
prosperous and happy.Win youtakelt Gener-
alp There was a moment hesitation, a mo-
ment Of deathlike stiffness in the hall, and
then Fitzhugh Lee was on his teet' bus hand
was extended across the footlights and was
quickly met by the warm grasp OF the
preachers.
GA first there was a murmur, hall OF sur
nrise and half of doubtfulness, from the audi
ence: then there was a hesitating clapping OF
hands, and before Beecher had Embossed
the hand of Robert E. Lees nephew
now Governor of V~irginia-there were cheers
such as were never before heard IN old Mozart,
though it had been the scene OF many a war
and political meeting.
"But that was only the beginning OF the
enthusiasm.
"When the noise subsidized, Mr.. Beecher
continued; When l go back home, l shall
proudly tell that 1 have grasped the hand OF
the nephew of the great Southern chlettaln